Kids coaching a 'huge success'

12 April 2004 00:00am

Half-term school holidays would not be the same for youngsters in Cardiff, without the hugely popular rugby coaching courses. The latest half term coaching course took place at Cardiff Arms Park last Thursday and many Junior Blues from across the region turned out for some extra-curricular Capital rugby coaching.

There were two sessions this term, the first for children in years 4, 5 and 6, and the second for children in years 7,8 and 9.

The weather was not that of a typical April day, but as the grey clouds gathered around the Arms Park, they could not dampen the spirits of the enthusiastic youngsters that were determined to make the most of yet another Cardiff Blues coaching course

Juniors were split into small groups to receive the benefit of many years of rugby playing experience from Capital Rugby coaches and were also joined by the stars of Cardiff and the Blues. This term the children were lucky enough to be throwing the ball around with rising stars Dan McShane and Robin Sowden-Taylor.

Also on hand to help out with the coaching were students from Coleg Glan Hafren who are currently studying for NVQ's, of which, sports coaching is an integral part. It gave the students a chance to put their theory into practice with the supervision of the development officers.

Typical drills in latest half term coaching session were fundamental passing skills, spatial awareness skills that were designed to help the children create space and hence able to receive a pass.

It wasn't all running around as the girls and boys took a mid session break to enjoy the bottles of water that had been provided by one of the principle sponsors of Cardiff Rugby, Brecon Carreg and they also got a chance to ask Dan McShane and Robin Sowden-Taylor questions and collect their autographs.

Development officer Gary Knowles said,
"We hope the children have all enjoyed the course and we have been able to offer them some valuable rugby experience. I am sure we will be seeing a great deal more of one or two of them in the future.

The young girls and boys' efforts were certainly rewarded; not only with the skills they learned, but they also each received a Black Horse certificate for completing the course.

Cardiff Blues face Newport Gwent Dragons in a huge European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final on Saturday, April 4 - and you can celebrate pre and post-match with Cardiff Blues and the Cardiff Blues Supporters' Club at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park!

Welsh Pro Rugby's main sponsor BT Sport will help make it a Welsh derby day to remember for thousands of rugby supporters at the big European quarter-final with the creation of a buzzing Family Village at Rodney Parade.

Cardiff Blues are hosting a special Open Evening this Wednesday night at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park to give prospective students and parents the chance to discover more about our new and exciting rugby education programme.

Our Cardiff Blues Rugby Camps return this Easter to give children right across our region the opportunity to participate in rugby during the holidays - and after selling out our last two camps you can book NOW to avoid any disappointment!

Supporters are being invited to get on their bike and gear up for an epic charity bike ride from Cardiff to Paris this June - with the last few places now available to raise vital funds for #StayStrongForOws

The players at Cardiff Blues will be hoping to play with some true Gallic flair for the rest of the Guinness PRO12 season - after the region teamed up with a successful French bistrot in the Welsh capital.

Cardiff Blues will be celebrating St David's Day when the region faces Edinburgh Rugby at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 12.45pm) - with hundreds of children invited as part of our Regional Schools Day.

Fine footwear retailer The Brogue Trader - one of the official sponsors of Cardiff Blues - is celebrating after being recognised by the British Footwear Association at its annual Footwear Industry Awards.

Battling Cardiff Blues produced a second half performance packed full of character and spirit to push Ulster Rugby all the way in an absorbing Guinness PRO12 encounter at a packed out Kingspan Stadium.

Argentine ace Joaquin Tuculet scored a sensational try in the eighth minute of injury time as Cardiff Blues produced an astonishing finale to snatch victory over Connacht Rugby after an unbelievable Guinness PRO12 encounter.